Chicago College Breach, Student Data At Risk

In the last week, NetWalker Ransomware group hit Columbia College Chicago's network, potentially exposing sensitive student data.

“Some college, employee and student data was accessed by the perpetrators, though the exact nature and extent of that is still being determined.”

In a strategy being used more frequently, the attackers have threatened to release stolen data unless their ransom demands are met.

The hackers responsible for the breach are threatening to release information on the Internet unless certain financial demands are met.

This leaves school administrators in a very tricky position. Do they pay the attackers and justify the criminal activity? Or do they attempt to restore from backups and hope the hackers are bluffing?

Hackers threatened to expose files containing “highly sensitive data like social security numbers and other private information,” on the dark web unless their demands were met.

Sadly, Columbia is not the only school to be hit. The number of schools hit in the last year is over 1,000. Just recently, Michigan State was hacked (story here).

Last year operations at 1,233 schools across the U.S. were impacted in some way by ransomware attacks.

And it's not just colleges under attack. In fact, many elementary, middle and high schools have been compromised. Recent attacks include those in Texas, Montana and New Mexico.

Schools will be required to implement additional security measures. The quickest (and lowest cost!) solution is Fully Automated Security Awareness Training.

Ready to learn more? Get in touch for a quick product tour and quote here.

Original article here.
[https://columbiachronicle.com/breaking-columbia-student-information-at-risk-in-ransomware-attack]